Romanticism

Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement in the history of ideas that originated in late 18th century Western Europe. It stressed strong emotion—which now might include trepidation, awe and horror as aesthetic experiences—the individual imagination as a critical authority, which permitted freedom within or even from classical notions of form in art, and overturning of previous social conventions, particularly the position of the aristocracy. There was a strong element of historical and natural inevitability in its ideas, stressing the importance of "nature" in art and language. Romanticism is also noted for its elevation of the achievements of what it perceived as heroic individuals and artists. It followed the Enlightenment period and was in part inspired by a revolt against aristocratic social and political norms from the previous period, as well as seeing itself as the fulfilment of the promise of that age.

Further reading

• Meyer H. Abrams, 1971. The Mirror and the Lamp : Romantic Theory and the Critical Tradition (Oxford University press)
• Walter Friedlaender, 1952. David to Delacroix, (Originally published in German; reprinted 1980)
• Fritz Novotny, 1971. Painting and Sculpture in Europe, 1780-1880, (2nd edition; reissued 1980)
• Marcel Brion, 1966. Art of the Romantic Era: Romanticism, Classicism, Realism (Originally published in French)